Effective January 1, 2027, Illinois public schools serving students in grades 6 through 12 will be subject to a new suicide prevention curriculum requirement under Public Act 104-0808, known as Tammurra’s Act.

The Act amends Section 27-215 of the Illinois School Code, which addresses comprehensive health education and instruction concerning mental health. The new provision states:

“To raise mental health awareness for students in grades 6 through 12, a school board shall require each public school serving students in any of grades 6 through 12 to implement age-appropriate, evidence-based suicide prevention curricula if opportunities for integration exist.”

There are several important aspects of this new requirement.

First, the requirement applies to public schools serving students in any of grades 6 through 12. Accordingly, a middle school, junior high school, high school or other public school serving students within those grade levels is covered. This particular provision does not apply to an elementary school that serves only students below sixth grade.

Second, the obligation is placed on the school board. The statute provides that the school board “shall require” each covered public school to implement the required curriculum. Districts should therefore review their existing health and mental health curricula to determine whether they already address suicide prevention in a manner that satisfies the new law or whether revisions will be necessary before January 1, 2027.

Third, the suicide prevention curriculum must be both “age-appropriate” and “evidence-based.” The Act does not mandate a particular curriculum, program, textbook or number of instructional hours. This gives school districts some flexibility in determining how best to satisfy the requirement within their existing educational programs.

Fourth, the statute includes the qualification “if opportunities for integration exist.” This language is important. The Act does not expressly require school districts to create a separate suicide prevention course. Rather, districts should identify appropriate opportunities to integrate age-appropriate, evidence-based suicide prevention instruction into their existing curricula.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is also authorized to make evidence-based and developmentally appropriate resources available to school districts and educators regarding instruction on mental health and mental illness. Districts should therefore monitor ISBE guidance and resources as the January 1, 2027 effective date approaches.

It is also important to distinguish the requirements applicable to public schools from those applicable to public libraries and public institutions of higher education under Tammurra’s Act. The Act requires public libraries to prominently display contact information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The new School Code provision applicable to K-12 public schools instead addresses suicide prevention curricula for students in grades 6 through 12. It does not impose the same 988 physical posting requirement on K-12 public schools.

In preparation for January 1, 2027, school districts should review the curriculum currently provided to students in grades 6 through 12, determine where suicide prevention instruction is currently provided or can appropriately be integrated and confirm that the instruction is age-appropriate and evidence-based. Boards should also consider whether any curriculum approvals or policy revisions will be necessary to implement the requirement.

Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd. represents school districts throughout Illinois in matters involving school finance, special education, student issues, board practice and procedures, labor and employment law, litigation and construction law. For questions related to Tammurra’s Act or the steps your district should take to comply with the new requirements, please contact Thomas M. Melody, Dennis G. Walsh or another member of Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins’ School Law Practice Group.

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